Lining for tunnels, shafts, and the like



0d. 21, 930- J. H. HUMPHRYES LINING FOR TUNNELS, SHAFTS, AND LIKE Filed Nov. 7, 1927 FIG.

Patented Oct. 21, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE LINING FOR TUNNELS, SHAFTS, AND THE LIKE Application filed November 7, 1927. Serial No. 231,481.

This invention relates to-improvements in linings for tunnels, shafts and the like.

Such linings are commonly built up of rectangularcurved or arcuate plates flanged on all four sides so that they can be bolted together when assembled against the wall of the tunnel or shaft. The plates hitherto have been produced with integral flanges by the use of press tools, or have been formed from fiat lates by shearing them at the corners and bending by the edges to form the flanges.

The chief difliculty in manufacturing such plates is to avoid buckling or puckering of the flanges when the plate is bent to form an arc, and for this reason it has been necessary to keep the flanges narrow.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved plate or section for a tunnel or shaft lining in which flanges of considerable depth can be employed so that the rigidity of the'plate and its resistance to bending stresses are greatly increased.

According to my invention a plate or section for a tunnel or shaft lining comprises a member of hollow box form having flanges of substantial de th with straight edges, two of the opposite anges being inclined to the base at less than a right angle so that when 30 a number of plates are assembled to form a ring the meeting flanges of adjacent sections will be parallel to each other.

The inherent rigidity of the plate due to the use of straight deep flanges renders the use of ribs or corrugations in the base unnecessary, but if desired the base may be dished or domed to strengthen the plate still further.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a diagrainmatic view shewing the method of assembling a number of plates to form a curved line.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of a single plate.

' Figure 3 is a section through the junction of two plates.

Figure 4 is a section at right angles to the section of Figure 3.;v

In the form illustrated'ea cli plate is of rectangular outline and has a dished base a, side flanges b and end flanges 0. The flanges are of substantial depth and their free edges are straight so that when the plates are assembled as shewn in Figure 1 the edges of the side flan es form chords of a circle concentric with t e wall of the tunnel or shaft.

Each plate is formed from a flat rectangular steel or other sheet which is notched near the corner of each end edge for a de th equal to the depth of the flanges. The si e flanges are cranked up at right angles to the base and their extremities (1 turned in as shewn in Figures 2 and 3. The end flanges are cranked up so that they make an angle with the base which is less than a right angle but which will depend on the radius of the tunnel or shaft for which the plates are intended. The tongues or extremities d of the side flanges which lie against the inner faces of the end flanges are secured to the end flanges by rivets, e. referably the exposed ends and corners of the end flanges are then welded to the side flanges as shewn at f in Figures 2 and 3 to strengthen the joint and prevent the entry of moisture which would set up corrosion. v

The dishin of the lates which is shewn in Figures 1 and 2 may e effected either before or after the cranking up of the flanges.

In assembling the plates to form a lining suitable packing material is placed between the faces of the meeting anges of adjacent Elates and the end flanges are secured together y bolts h some of which preferably pass through the tongues on the side flanges as well as through the end flanges as shewn in Figure 3.

The joints between the end flanges of plates in adjacent rings are staggered as indicated in Figure 3 and the adjacent side flanges are secured together by bolts 3'. J

I claim 1. A unit for the construction of tunnel and shaft linings comprising a rectan ular plate having pairs of integral marginal anges connected thereto along straight lines, the ed es of said flanges being substantially para lel with said lines of connection and means securing portions of adjacent flanges together at the corners of the unit, the flanges of one pair of flanges being disposed in a plane less than a right angle with respect to said late.

2. A unit for the construction tunnel and shaft linings comprising a rectangular plate havin a pair of integral side flanges and a pair 0% integral end flanges joined to the plate along straight lines, the side flanges being disposed at substantially a right an le to said plate and the end flanges being isposed at less than a right angle to said plate, and means securing adjacent portions of the said Q flanges to ether at the corners of said units.

3. A unit for the construction of tunnel and shaft linings comprising a rectangular'plate havin a pair of lntegral side flanges and a pair 0% integral end flanges joined to the plate along straight lines, the side flanges being disposed at substantially a right an le to said late and the end flanges being isposed at ess than a right angle to said plate, one pair of said flanges having inturned ends engaged with and secured to end ortions of the flanges of said other pair of anges.

4. A unit for the construction of tunnel and shaft linings comprising a dished, rectangular plate havin pairs of integral marinal side flanges and end flanges connected t ereto along straight lines, one pair of said flanges bein disposed at a right angle to the plane of said plate and the other pair of said anges being disposed at less than a right angle to said plate and means connecting said flanges together at the corners of the units.

5. A unit for the construction of tunnel and shaft linings comprising a dished, rectangular plate havin pairs of integral marginal side flanges an end flanges connected thereto along straight lines, one pair of said 40 flanges bein disposed at a right angle to the plane of sai plate and the other pair of said flanges being disposed at less than a right angle to said plate, and the free edges of said flanges being parallel with said lines and means cgnnecting said flanges together at the corners of the units.

In testimon whereof I aflix my si ature. JAMES ARVEY HUMPHR%ES. 

